Larsen receives Chamber honor
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| Larsen |
Cindy Larsen of the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce has been recognized with the Michigan Chamber Professional of the Year award by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce Executives organization. Larsen was selected through a competitive process with other state chamber of commerce professionals for her "demonstration of high professional development and leadership standards." Larsen was selected from four chamber executives in Michigan to be named Michigan Chamber Professional of the Year.
"MCCE is proud to present Cindy Larsen with the 2008 Michigan Chamber Professional of the Year Award. Through Cindy's service on the MCCE Board of Directors, her leadership at the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce and her example to other chamber executives nationally makes her an outstanding recipient of this award." —Bob Thomas, MCEE director
ACCOUNTING
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| Mitchell |
Hungerford, Aldrin, Nichols & Carter PC has announced the addition of Jason Mitchell, manager of the firm's governmental services department.
Helmholdt+Co. LLP CPAs has promoted Michael M. Kornoely and Bradley S. Greenfield to senior managers, and Melissa A. McConkey and Staci M. Dawson to senior staff accountants.
ARCHITECTURE
Progressive AE has announced that 24 of its projects have earned LEED certification, including three LEED-Silver and 21 LEED-CI through the U.S. Green Building Council's new portfolio program.
ASSOCIATIONS
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| Lindley | Michael Lindley, senior vice president of marketing for Huntington Bank – West Michigan, was named to the boards of the Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the Kent District Library Foundation.
AWARDS
Misty M. Davis, a staff attorney for Cooley Law School's Access to Justice Clinic, received the first annual Advocate of Justice award from the Carter-Alexander Institute, a West Michigan nonprofit organization that encourages community members to seek justice for disadvantaged individuals.
Camp Tall Turf, an interdenominational Christian youth development organization, has presented its annual Building Bridges award to Calvin College professor Dr. Donald DeGraaf.
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network has honored Tom Armstrong and John Folkert as its best network representatives with the company's Forum award.
Grand Valley Health Plan has ranked as the No. 4 commercial health plan in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report and the National Committee for Quality Assurance America's Best Health Plans. This is the fourth consecutive year that GVHP has been named among the top 50. GVHP is also recognized as the highest ranked commercial health plan in the state of Michigan.
Extra Credit Projects is the recipient of an international Graphis Gold Award and will be included in the 2009 Graphis Advertising Manual.
Operation Smile, a worldwide children's medical charity, has selected Dr. Steven L. Ringler to receive the Dr. Stephen Pratt Award 2008 for excellence in volunteerism in plastic surgery. Dr. Ringler's outreach activities include co-founder and medical director of the Grand Rapids Chapter of Operation Smile. Dr. Ringler specializes in cosmetic surgery and hair transplantation at Plastic Surgery Associates and is a clinical professor of surgery at Michigan State University, and the director of the plastic surgery residency program of the Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center/MSU.
BANKING & FINANCE
Chad Rayborn, Samuel K. Mirto and Joshua Hong, personal financial advisers, have joined Waddell & Reed.
Grand Rapids Family Credit Union has promoted Amanda Teachout to branch manager of its new 87 Monroe Center branch office. Also, Karen Lowery, loan officer, has joined the main office at 1225 Plymouth Ave. NE.
Mark Bugge has been appointed a member of the board of directors of Macatawa Bank.
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| Brady | BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION
Triangle Associates Inc. has named Norm Brady vice president of human resources. Brady will focus on strategic planning and implementation of human resource training initiatives.
Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. has hired Wanda McCallum, office administrative assistant.
Martin Property Development Inc. has announced that the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, Peter M. Wege Guest House has been awarded Silver LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
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| Bertrand | BUSINESS SERVICES
Pondera Advisors LLC, a leadership consulting practice, has announced the addition of Dick Bertrand to its team of consultants.
Encompass LLC, a Grand Rapids-based employee assistance and work/life program provider, has earned certification through the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. Encompass LLC was established in 2000 by Allison Brown, P.h.D., providing consultation, support, education and referral services to over 112,000 employees and their family members in 30 states and internationally.
The officers of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce for 2009 are: chairman, Todd R. Duncan, Consumers Energy; senior vice chair, Norine Mulvihill, Option1 Credit Union; vice chairs, Brent Holland, Chameleon Ltd., Skip Knapp, Edward Jones Investments, and Kathey Batey, Priority Health & Spirited Presentations; past chair, Tom Kruisenga, West Michigan Business Group; and president and CEO (staff), John J. Crawford. Also, elected as members of the board of directors are: Tommy Brann, Brann's Steakhouse & Grille, and John Schwartz, AT&T.
EDUCATION
Dee Ann Sherwood Bosworth has been named director of intercultural training at Grand Valley State University. Also, Timothy J. Chester, a consultant for GVSU, was inducted into the Museum Group, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit consortium of senior museum professionals. Chester also received the Association of Midwest Museums' Distinguished Service award.
GRANTS
Hope Network has been awarded a five-year, $1.75 million federal grant that will allow the Christian organization to continue its efforts in working with Michigan companies to develop industry-specific training for individuals with disabilities. The Projects With Industry grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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| Forstner | HEALTH
Julie Forstner, M.D., will lead radiation oncology services at the new Cancer Center at Metro Health Village in Wyoming as part of a joint venture with the University of Michigan Health System. Forstner joins the faculty at the U-M Medical School, where she received her medical degree. She will hold the title of assistant professor of radiation oncology.
Metro Health Hospital was selected to show health care leaders how an improved physical environment can benefit a hospital's business, patients and staff. Michael Faas, president and CEO of Metro Health Hospital, addressed hospital executives during a conference hosted by Trane and the American College of Healthcare Executives.
MMPC's Advanced Breast Care Center, under the collaboration and direction of Dr. Colleen App and Dr. John C. Rienstra, has opened at 4069 Lake Drive SE, Suite 117, Grand Rapids.
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| Vander Baan | INSURANCE
Daniel Vander Baan, commercial client executive, has joined Van Wyk Risk & Financial Management. Vander Baan's legal expertise includes contract interpretation and negotiation, corporate due diligence, business law, mergers and acquisitions, general risk management and liability consulting.
LEGAL
Miller Johnson has welcomed Rachel L. Hillegonds, associate, bankruptcy and creditors/debtors rights practice group, and Angela M. Pfister, associate, litigation practice group.
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| Hillegonds |
Pfister |
VanBronkhorst |
Hill | Andrew J. VanBronkhorst and David C. Hill, associates, have joined Kreis, Enderle, Hudgins & Borsos PC. VanBronkhorst has joined the firm's litigation and business law practice, and Hill has joined the firm's corporate and real estate practice.
Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith PC has announced that Nicholas B. Missad and Jonathan A. David have joined the firm's Grand Rapids office as shareholders. Missad is a member of the litigation practice group and David is joining the firm's business and corporate practice group. Also, Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith PC has launched its new Economic Recovery Task Force, led by Farmington Hills' shareholder Randall L. Harbour, leader of the firm's banking, finance and real estate group.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Universal Power Group Inc., a provider of third-party logistics and supply chain management services and a distributor of batteries and power accessories, has retained Lambert, Edwards & Associates Inc. to manage and communicate its story and build shareholder value through increased liquidity and interest in the company's stock.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Robert Worthington, an attorney for Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Grand Rapids, has been elected to serve as trustee for the township of Grand Haven. Worthington focuses his practice in corporate, banking and securities law.
TECHNOLOGY
Miguel Mickey, business development manager, has joined C/D/H at its Royal Oak office.
TRAVEL & TOURISM
Holland's Carlson Wagonlit Travel location at 460 Waverly Road has changed its name to Travel Leaders. By adopting the new Travel Leaders brand, the agency joins the 500 U.S.-based Carlson Wagonlit Travel office locations who are leading the way in enhancing the overall travel experience.
The Business Journal welcomes submissions to the Change-Ups section. Send announcements concerning personnel changes, new businesses, change of address, etc. to Change-Ups Editor, Grand Rapids Business Journal, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or e-mail to bjchangeups@geminipub.com.
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